Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island
20 September 2014
20 Miles, 4:39:48 Finish
The 2014 6 Hour Ultra Marathon Race did not turn out to be an ultramarathon for me. This was my fourth 6-hour run and I would have enjoyed it if not for a hip problem that creeped up on me by mile 12. I managed eight more before giving up. I could barely walk by mile 20, much less run.
I ran this event in 2013, when it had been temporarily moved to another Staten Island park. I think I liked the other course a little better, although this one was much more scenic. Clove Lakes Park consists of three small lakes; the course consisted of a 2-mile loop on a paved path circling the lower two. There were a couple of hills, but it was flat for the most part.
The day started out well enough. The park was super easy to get to by bus, so that took a lot of stress out of the equation. I ran with a hydration pack, having learned my lesson at the Pajama Romp in July. I didn’t have any trouble with eating or drinking, just stiffness in my right hip that began early and couldn’t be fixed by stretching. Instead of pushing it and risking injury, I decided to stop at an even 20 miles.
I had a chance to run with some very nice people, including Kat, who I ran with at Wildcat Ridge in 2013. I do wish I knew more of the runners. Faces are beginning to be familiar, but I tend to be shy at these runs when I wouldn’t be in another situation. Something to work on in 2015.
